TATTOO TUESDAYS

For today’s Tattoo Tuesdays, we feature Irish James, a tattooer from Sins of Style in Cape Town. Whilst competent creating regular, electric pieces, he specializes in “hand-poked” tattoos. When asked how they differ from traditional tattoos done with a machine, he says “It’s the uniqueness of each piece for sure. Well, every tattoo whether it be electric or hand-poked is unique, but it’s the rudimentary, homespun finish of the hand-poked tattoo that gives each piece so much personality. There’s definitely something captivating about that tell-tale stippled finish. It might not be for everyone, but hey, sooner regret the things you haven’t done in life rather than those you have.”

Far from the “prison” tattoo stereotype, Irish James’ hand-poked tattoos are mind-blowingly neat and are certainly richly finished. This is some of his most recent work.